Speedmaster bent hands

T24 · May 5, 2019

Hi all,

Just had my late 2012 speedmaster back from a service. The flat chronograph second and main minute hands have been replaced by bent-tip variants. Has anyone experienced this before? This is definitely the case and it is not just an illusion from the crystal.

Please see below my watch (on red bag background) versus some screen shots from watches online.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

77deluxe · May 5, 2019

Crystal is causing the illusion.

BatDad · May 5, 2019

Isn’t it the guidance to bend down the hour and chrono hands?

ext1 · May 5, 2019

BatDad
Isn’t it the guidance to bend down the hour and chrono hands?

Same, I thought I read that in an Archer post somewhere.

Evitzee · May 5, 2019

Because these hands are the furthest away from the dial their tips are bent to reduce the parallax error when reading the dial and to ensure clearance with the crystal at the tips. Standard procedure and not a defect.

77deluxe · May 5, 2019

Isn't the crystal majorly amplifying/distorting the appearance? As contrasted with OP’s pics 3 & 4.

Great speedy by the way.

BatDad · May 5, 2019

I was thinking those were post and pre service pics. OP?

Edit actually - if that’s the case an applied dial just got switched out... 🙁

bb_sub · May 5, 2019

BatDad
I was thinking those were post and pre service pics. OP?

Edit actually - if that’s the case an applied dial just got switched out... 🙁

The applied dial pics are not OP’s.

BatDad · May 5, 2019

B bb_sub
The applied dial pics are not OP’s.

I missed that completely! ::facepalm1::

Cheers!

77deluxe · May 5, 2019

I missed that as well ::facepalm1::

T24 · May 6, 2019

Thanks for the replies, guys. I've owned the watch for 6.5 years and worn it daily; the effect is not from the curvature of the hesalite.

Please see below two pictures of the watch pre service from the same shallow angles (wooden background) versus two pictures of it post service (red background).

I'm aware of the practice of bending the tips, but is it normal for an official Omega service centre (UK) to change the look by applying the technique? I think I prefer the flat hands...

JanV · May 6, 2019

Aesthetically looks much better with bent hands in my opinion.

ChrisN · May 6, 2019

I was taught that the hands follow the contour of the dial so, "flat dial = flat hands". On something like a dome dial Connie from the sixties, the hands are curved to follow the dial. On a Speedmaster, the minute and chrono are sometimes lightly curved at the tip because the dial is not completely flat. Your watch seems to have excessively bent hands (not really curved, just bent at one point) but part of that may be the crystal distortion.

For modern watches, many companies just replace the hands at each service as they are very visible to the user but, it's not clear they were changed on your watch from these pictures. Often this is one person who only fits hands. The hands on your watch have been adjusted as they are usually flat when manufactured.

I have four Speedmasters in front of me ranging from a mid sixties 321 to a brand new and untouched Ultraman. None have a bend like your watch and the Ultraman that has just been made, has flat hands.

If you don't like them, go back and explain that you don't like this modification and can they explain why they did it.

Cheers, Chris

Risto · May 6, 2019

I definitely like bent hands. It gives some vintage look and I have them on my 1962 Constellation and 1965 cal 320 chronograph.

Archer · May 6, 2019

Omega specifies that Speedmaster Pros with serial numbers under 50 million are to have both the minute and chronograph seconds hand bent. Watches with serial numbers over 50 million are to be left straight.

Cheers, Al

dennisthemenace · May 6, 2019

Archer
Omega specifies that Speedmaster Pros with serial numbers under 50 million are to have both the minute and chronograph seconds hand bent. Watches with serial numbers over 50 million are to be left straight.

Cheers, Al

Someone made a ballsup then because a 2012 speedmaster would be 77 million.

ChrisN · May 6, 2019

Archer
Omega specifies that Speedmaster Pros with serial numbers under 50 million are to have both the minute and chronograph seconds hand bent. Watches with serial numbers over 50 million are to be left straight.

Cheers, Al

Good information, thanks Al.

Cheers, Chris

T24 · May 6, 2019

Archer
Omega specifies that Speedmaster Pros with serial numbers under 50 million are to have both the minute and chronograph seconds hand bent. Watches with serial numbers over 50 million are to be left straight.

Cheers, Al

Good knowledge, thanks for that. Mine indeed is a 77 serial number and was purchased with flat hands. I've gone back to the jeweller to discuss.

Should any formal paperwork be returned along with tbr watch post service? None of that either!

Archer · May 6, 2019

T24
Good knowledge, thanks for that. Mine indeed is a 77 serial number and was purchased with flat hands. I've gone back to the jeweller to discuss.

Should any formal paperwork be returned along with tbr watch post service? None of that either!

What paperwork you get will depend on who performed the service. But you should get an invoice outlining the work for sure.

dennisthemenace · May 6, 2019

T24
I've gone back to the jeweller to discuss.

So was it an official Omega service centre, as you implied, or a local jeweller that serviced your watch?

Speedmaster bent hands

T24

77deluxe

BatDad

ext1

Evitzee

77deluxe

BatDad

bb_sub

BatDad

77deluxe

T24

JanV

ChrisN

Risto

Archer

dennisthemenace

ChrisN

T24

Archer

dennisthemenace

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